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Training on cooking khichuri: Allocation of Tk 15cr canceled

News Desk || risingbd.com

Published: 21:47, 16 September 2020   Update: 22:15, 16 September 2020
Training on cooking khichuri: Allocation of Tk 15cr canceled

For the past two days, there has been a massive discussion and criticism on news media and social networking platforms about ‘foreign trip of government officials to learn how to cook khichuri’. Following this, the Planning Commission has revoked the allocation of Tk 15 crore in this sector.

With an aim to provide midday meal to the primary school students, Tk 5 crore has been sought for foreign trips to gather experience in this field. Another Tk 10 crore has been sought for training purpose on the same issue in the country. The Department of Primary Education (DPE) made a proposal to send 1,000 officials abroad to gather experience on ‘Mid Day Meal’ programme. These officers were supposed to travel abroad under the school feeding programme in primary schools.

However, it has been learnt from the Planning Commission that no foreign trip is being kept in any project at present due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday last, the evaluation committee of the project held a meeting which was chaired by Planning Commission Member (Secretary) Abul Kalam Azad. The proposal was canceled at the meeting.

Regarding the issue, Swapan Kumar Ghosh, the head of socio-economic infrastructure department, said, “The coronavirus crisis is going on worldwide. That’s why, no foreign trip plan in any project is being implemented. Therefore, the allocation of Tk 5 crore for the foreign trip of government officials under the school feeding project in primary schools has been canceled. Besides, training of 1,000 people in the country has also been canceled.”

According to the sources of the Planning Commission, the cost for the distribution of food among children in the DPP of the project has been estimated at Tk 1,718 crore.

Dhaka/Hasibul/AI